After a blissful night in each other's arms, Isabella and Charles were soon on their way back home. They were presently driving along the route that led to the hangar where Charles's private aircraft was being kept. Looking out the window as the breeze that the trees juggled attracted her, Isabella wondered how it would feel to be in the air again.

It had been so long since she traveled. It was not like she ever had a reason to. A vacation never even crossed her mind while she was married to Gabriel.


Wearing a small smile instantly, she began to reason her life some more.

She asked herself questions. Like why she never deemed it fit to take a break from running the hotel. Or why she never thought of going for a long drive after a long week of Gabriel's terrible nagging.

Definitely, she would have felt less worked up if she had done those little things.


Isabella sighed. There was no cause for regrets. Another chance was in front of her to live her life to the fullest and she wasn't going to waste it at all. She was going to make sure to enjoy every moment with Charles no matter how crazy her past might be.

"What is my baby girl thinking of so seriously?" Charles swerved to the right as they encountered a bend of the seemingly non-ending road.


Sitting straight into the comfortable seat, Isabella wore a shy smile and replied with, "Life."

"You shouldn't think so much. It will make me worried about you." His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as his voice rhythmically responded to her simple statement.

Snorting, she said, "It is just thinking."

"Exactly." He glanced her way before focusing on the road ahead. "I won't know what is on your mind if you think too much. And I need to be sure you are doing fine."

Solemnly, she looked down at her palms and studied the lines absentmindedly. "I wasn't thinking about my father though. And I don't think thinking about what Uncle Ben did would make my life better so I am avoiding the thoughts."

"Hmm. At some point you'll have to face it though."

"When I do, I'll just run into your arms and let you help me take my mind off it." Her face lit with a smile as her head came up. When their eyes met, she scrunched her nose at him and he chuckled heartily.

"My arms are open everyday for you, love."

Isabella sighed again. But this time, happily. How on earth did she ever get lucky that she has a man like Charles by her side?

"You don't plan to start office work soon, do you?"

"No, I don't. Why do you ask?"

"I need your help selecting a new secretary."

"It is certain it will be a male this time." She stamped her statement with her fist hitting her palm. " I will make sure you get a male secretary."

Charles laughed loudly. " I can see you still don't like the idea of women being around me."

"Who would?" She pouted. " You are too good looking to be left carelessly in the midst of women. Besides..." Her arms crossed over her chest. " You should have learnt your lesson from what happened with Miss Kane."

"Hmm." He nodded slowly as his face wore a look of consideration. "You are right. Don't worry, I will also make sure to get a competent male secretary."

"Nice. Why is it taking so long to get to the hangar though?"

"We are almost there." He took another turn and a huge workshop like building came into sight.

After some minutes, they were both out of the car and Charles was securing his car keys with one of the workers around.

After confirming that their flight was ready, Charles reached for Isabella's hand and began to walk towards the building.

"Isabella?"

"Hmm?" She held onto his arm with her other hand as she looked up at him almost lovingly.

"I'll make you pancakes when we get home." She could not ignore the foxy smile on his face as he said the one statement they used in the past before things gets really steamy between them.

Not even thinking of complaining, Isabella smiled back at him and said, "Who knows, you might be able to make some in the plane."

His gorgeous smooth face lifted as he wore a big smile. "You are just never satisfied, are you?"

"Hey!" She eyed him. " It's not like you are any better. Last night you kept dragging me to the shower and then to the-" His lips fell on hers to cut her short.

"You explain too much," he simply said before chuckling again. As their legs walked them into the huge building, Isabella could not restrain her smile.

She indeed was a lucky woman.

~

"So, you are no longer working for your father?" Isabella asked seriously.

"I told you I was going to be my own man and I did. It was a very fast journey though. My company does so well, it scares me sometimes."

Her elbow on the arm rest as her hand supported her chin, she said, "You are a very competent man Charles. Of course your company will do well."

"It is still really surprising and truthfully, at some point, it always feels like it might crash before I know it." Charles sounded so serious, it bothered Isabella a lot. When she asked him about his company, she had earlier thought of how she didn't know much about Charles since they met again.

But to think that a man like him could feel that way... It made her realize she had to be there for him just like he was for her.

"Hey..." She reached for his thick arm and ran her hand through gently. "I know how serious you are when it comes to your business and I can tell your fears are nothing. They won't come to pass because you are an amazing businessman and also, a very good husband."

"Hmm. We are finally home," his thick voice announced as he drove towards the side garage.

Looking to the side, she noticed a figure sitting down on the small bench just by the window side of the luxurious bungalow. "Who is that in front of our door?" Isabella asked and Charles leaned towards her for a better view.

As his eyes zoomed in and out, he suddenly wore a little frown.

"What?" Isabella asked. "Do you know her?" Her eyes darted to the black haired woman who turned to back them immediately as though she sensed the extra eyes.

"Yes. That's Daphne."

"Who's Daphne?" Charles never heard her question as he was soon out of the car. Watching as he firmly walked towards the woman, Isabella also got rid of her seat belt and got off the car.

When her stance leveled with Charles's who was staring inquisitively at the woman, she decided to take a good look at the woman. Her oval face was quite pale and her hair kept sticking to her face due to her sweating. Her small lips wore a small smile as her eyes met Charles.

A little motion happened below the woman's chin and when Isabella's eyes fell in that direction, she almost gasped. The woman was heavily pregnant.

"What are you doing here Daphne?" Charles finally asked.

"Is that anyway to welcome me after all these years? Uh? Charles?" The woman's voice was so tender and soft it made Isabella a bit jealous. Her voice was just there.

"I am surprised I even remember you. What are you doing here?" he asked again, his hands pocketing.

"You words hurt me Charles. But since you ask..." Her hands rubbed her heavy belly. " I am here because I am tired of pretending."

Isabella's eyes confusedly swung towards Charles and she did not miss how his jaws kept clenching. "Pretending about what?" he asked sternly.

She huffed. "Pretending that you are not the father of this child inside me."